Social Work BA (Hons)

The University of Northampton is central to the Northamptonshire Social Work Teaching Partnership. This Department of Education led initiative ensures that there is a close working relationship between the University of Northampton, as education providers of qualifying Social Work programmes (BA (Hons) Social Work and MA Social Work) and the statutory services of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and Northamptonshire Adult Social Services, who provide services for a wide range of identified need in the county.

This also means that as a University, we work closely with our partners to develop the undergraduate Social Work degree curriculum to ensure it is current, innovative and reflective of practice, identify practice placement opportunities within statutory settings (Children, Mental Health, Adult Services) and prepare  graduates for employment.

The Teaching Partnership will additionally progress partnership working between a range of programmes at The University of Northampton that offer training and education in  Health and Social Care, Youth Work and a range of statutory and non-statutory service providers.

Throughout the BA Social Work degree, you will undertake 170 days of practice learning (placement). You will complete a student profile during your first year and, through strong partnerships between the university and employer providers, will be matched to a specific service.

Placement learning opportunities can be outside of Northamptonshire. All placement providers are quality assured by the University. It is desirable that you hold a current UK driving licence.

Please note that as a student Social Worker you will be expected to travel efficiently and independently for all your placements. Placements are located within a 65 mile radius of the University. You will need to be able to travel independently; being a non-driver could impact the variety, and availability, of statutory placements.

At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

If you join this full-time degree in social work at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your BA Social Work course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

* UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

What will I be taught on the social work degree?

BA Social Work prepares you for professional social work practice by developing your practice skills and your skills and knowledge in working with other professions. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to develop a range of  communication skills through experiential teaching and learning facilitated by Service Users and Social Work Practitioners in readiness for direct practice. The course raises your political awareness and encourages you to be creative, critical and reflective thinkers.

The Social Work subject team are committed to the International Federation of Social Workers definition of social work and the curriculum is informed by it.

How will I learn on BA Social Work?

Our social work degree promotes an approach to learning that actively engages you with key issues and themes in Social Work practice. Teaching methods that are used on this course include group work, role play, individual skills development, enquiry-based learning, seminars and lectures.

You will be able to incorporate your academic learning to two supervised and assessed placement learning opportunities. Over the three years you will experience a range of social work services and work with service users.

How will I be assessed on the degree in social work?

Assessment of learning during the course takes many forms and covers both theory and practice. Each module is assessed against the learning outcomes for the module. The format of the assessments includes essays, posters, reports, presentation, and workbooks of evidence.

There is only one exam in the course, a law exam in the first year. Second and third-year placements are assessed through portfolios. In your third year you will complete a dissertation.

How will I be supported to develop my academic skills on the course?

Throughout your programme of study you will have access to the Social Work Online Workbook. This workbook is designed to support you to:

• improve your academic study skills;
• develop your academic confidence;
• gain a greater understanding of what is expected of you as you study for your degree;
• learn more about how to learn, and develop greater autonomy as a learner.